Battle Royale

The student organization on campus hosted an all-campus "Capture the Flag" event. It began at 10pm and would last till 11:55pm. It was a serious affair and over 300 signed up to play. I thought it would be fun as we had acres of land, but then again, people over here tend to take things a little WAY too serious.

Battle Royale. What a name! It reminded me of the Korean Action Thriller of high school students end up killing each other for the sake of survival. I got to see some action right in front of me too. Participants are all dressed in the same T-shirts. The only thing to distinguish the two teams were the words printed on the same colored Ts. One was gold and the other blue. It was really confusing as one wouldn't know unless they walk right up to the other person. There were shouts, screams, "Hand me your beans!" and people tearing across the campus either in pairs or in groups. Even a non-participant like me could feel the tension and excitement.

Nemma, Colleen and I went out to grab some snacks at Dunkin Donuts. It was past 11:30 and no teams had any flags yet. I wonder how long would the game go and what the outcome would be. Anyways, I should be studying for my test tomorrow. Middle School Methods. I am so ready to burn my book.

Welcoming Another Batch

I was informed that the ACTS-es students will have their annual Welcome Party today. They will be celebrating the presence of the 8th batch of ACTS-es Freshmen and exchange students of Fall'08. Ah, good times. I have been thinking a lot about my juniors and have contemplated even more since my last trip to Japan. Can't help being myself, I have written a little something to share. Baileyna thought it was a good idea. I hope I did some help than harm.

I saw some pictures on the "Eyes of Alma Mater." If you have the opportunity, check them out too. How I wish I could take the day off and be there.

***** ^_^ *****

My dearest ACTS-es students,

Welcome to a new year at TCU. My warmest welcome to the ACTS-es Freshmen class and exchange students. I have seen your faces on Yanagisawa-sensei's web album and look forward to hear great things about you. My love goes out to the rest of the returning students. I missed you dearly. I hope you have had a great summer and all geared up for another challenging year at TCU.

Allow me to first congratulate all of you for being here. Each student in the program comes from an unique background and hand-picked in the belief that each of you would be equipped to do great things with the knowledge and experience gained during your time here. You might come with expectations, goals, and dreams. Through time, these will be refined or changed to better suit the new and improved you. I assure you that your time at TCU would be filled with excitement, joy, and challenges. There will be struggles and a whole lot of frustration too. Nevertheless, I pray that you would find lasting friendship, a shoulder to cry on, comrades to cheer for you, and a family away from home united by the grace who brought us all here.

You have seen the campus and have a taste of dorm life. I believe you have met the wonderful people who are closely associated with the ACTS-es program and I know you will meet more of the TCU community who would play an active role in your life here. I pray that you would spend time to get to know each and everyone in this room on a personal level for they will share with you essential tips to make your life in TCU and Japan a journey of a lifetime. Keeping it short, I will leave you with 5 suggestions for now. Consider them seriously.

1. Grow VERY close to your ACTS-es classmates. They are your immediate family for your time here. You will be each other's support as you mature.

2. Build a close relationship with the seniors of the program. They have experienced and know what you are going through and should know valuable survival tips to make things easier as you learn to stand on Japanese ground.

3. Be respectful to your professors. Put effort into your work and submit them on time. TCU faculty members are very nice people. Do not take for granted their kindness and generosity.

4. Be a part of TCU. Know your Japanese classmates. Join the choir. Participate in every TCU event. Pay your student council fees, attend every meeting, and join committees. You are a part of the TCU student body. You can make a difference in this school. Be responsible to make your college life as meaningful as possible. Your seniors have worked very hard to integrate the ACTS-es students into the student body to be able to enjoy every benefit. Don't mess it up.

5. Do your cleaning duties. Try to maintain the good reputation of the ACTS-es students that we are mature, intelligent, fun, and interesting. It forms discipline and builds character. Trust me.

As those who know me knows I have plenty more to say only because I share a strong love and deep passion for this school and program. An ACTS-es student is not just the average international student, you are a super international student. You will be busy dealing with cultural differences, your commitment to church, finding part-time jobs, etc. but I ask you to remember your choice in coming here and focus your commitment on your role as a student above anything else. Do everything as unto the LORD.

Feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you. I will pop by whenever possible. I will be contactable to answer any questions.

In Christ,
The crazy, loud and annoying Malaysian.

Roomie Nights

I love my room. My roomies rock. The place looks great and we have the best times. We went out for dinner last week at the Village Squire. This week it will be at home. DVD addicts, late night pot-sticker (Yeah, that is what they call gyoza here. A direct translation from the Chinese name of the food) pig outs, doing homework till wee-hours of the morning...

Presenting to you, one of a kind, Room 307.

Water Level on the Rise

The temperature took an almost 10-15 degree Celsius drop today. Okay, to be fair, it started to get a little nippy yesterday. The remains of what was Hurricane Gustav was over us and rain was pouring non-stop all day. Plant operations had to bring out the water pump to syphon rainwater out of the pond to prevent possible flooding.

Observation for the day: Umbrellas are not common over here. Students are all in their hoodies which puzzled me for they are of sweatshirt material. Doesn't it absorb more water? Students strut into class wet... Am I the only one or everyone else is comfortable in that? I had to change my socks twice... Well, personal preference.

I guess with more people around me I am starting to feel the pressure of cultural differences come crashing upon me since classes begin. I am in the same spot all over again and it is difficult not to let it get to me. Why do I put myself through all this? Why do I step out of familiarity and take on something I have to start from scratch? I am whining, just a little. I am not ungrateful about it, it is just that I guess I do get a little tired sometimes. "Do or Die" ... no, wait. The better expression I was taught this week "sink or swim." Yeah, that is very much me. Just keep swimming. Yes. That is me.

caffeine-weak-bunny

busy semester + loads of homework + tonnes of reading assignment = need for longer days

I found out that I have a weak tolerance for caffeine. It does it purpose in keeping me awake; however, to be exact, it mainly keeps the eyes open. The brain might be functioning at times, but no guarantees. If you wanted a fun-highly-wired bunny, give me a energy drink that is high in caffeine and nicotine. At any case, the after effects are similar to those who are on sugar-high or hyped up after a few drinks. IF you give me caffeine loaded drinks when not needed, you have to be responsible for it...

The kryptonite levels are as follow: (Ranking done according to the effects it has on my sleep)

1. Matcha (Japanese ceremonial tea)
2. Chinese tea
3. Coffee
4. English tea
5. Diet Coke
6. Japanese tea

Coke was added to the list just last night. Although my body was tired and I was sleepy, my eyes were like headlights at 2am! Hmm, I wonder should I get a caffeine fix this morning as I started my day at 7:30 and I hope to end it somewhere before midnight...

Protein Breakfast

It is just the 1st week of the semester and I am totally beat!

Coursework and reading assignments are already piling up and I need to organize my pile of work in order to start working on them. My nights are stretching and starting the day early is not as easy as I intended it to be. Where is the focus of my drive right now? Studies, work, and money seem to overlap so much these days.

I don't normally have breakfast, unless I have company or that I am certain that I will be working hard and long, or that I will not be eating for the next 5-8 hours. This morning, I was too tired to clock in early at work and decided to spent some time on breakfast instead. Since I got up late, breakfast in the room was the only option. After the usual wash up, I waddled into the kitchen and started throwing stuff on the frying pan. When I was just about to dig in, "My! Protein overload!" I had bacon, bratwurst, and eggs staring at me. Thank goodness Colleen gave me a pancake for that side of carbohidrates.

Well, I am still rather stuffed but I am no more awake than when I left bed. Trying to limit myself to only a dose of coffee a day, I will save that for after dinner. It will be a long night to complete more reading and some assignments.

Man! I should seriously start a better eating routine. I think a belly is showing itself soon.
(-_ -#)

Labor Day

Labor Day. I will definitely have more of these on a regular basis.

First week of school. One whole week and I survived, by taking in serious gasp of air. Am I getting to old for this? Am I putting too much on my plate? 16 credit hours of classes per week, at least 35 hours of practicum as teaching aid, assistant teaching in the Japanese lesson on campus, trying to clock in 20 hours of work weekly, out of class studying and homework... As time goes on, my schedule would be better defined. I hope I am able to pull through this.

Monday Tutor Japanese at 9. Walk 10 minutes to assistant teach at the Japanese class at noon. A close to 1km dash to the other end of campus for a 3 hour class right after that and hopefully manage to clock an hour in for work before dinner and another 3 hour class at 6:30.
*I am not a traditional student and am not required to be there. However, I have been there for every chapel for a week now.

Tuesday Hopefully a full day's work at Financial Aid. That will be 9 hours if possible.

Wednesday 3.75 hours at work (?) 10 minutes walk to Japanese class, but this time I have close to an hours break to make the distance to the other end of campus and hopefully grab lunch on the way. 3 hour class from 2, but a crazy schedule will start at the end of the month.

Thursday Hopefully another full day's work. 3 hour class from 6:30.

Friday Work. Japanese. Work. Possibly have a life.

Thank goodness I have the weekend for myself. There are late nights for studying and homework and I will not be idle during weekends. Don't worry, the schedule will pan out. I will know the details to my practicum within a week or two. My help in the Japanese class is for writing and after completing hiragana and katakana, I would only be there maybe once a week. I would be busy with other class requirements... With the amount I consume at meals, I guess it would be sufficient to fuel my mode of transportation. Things will work out... somehow.

It is a lot and I am exhausted. It is just the 1st week. I will get a rhythm soon. With your prayers, support, and encouragement, I WILL MAKE IT. It is my choice.